WTH! "sidecheck training bridles" ?

I'M NOT EVEN CONSIDERING USING THIS BRIDLE, OR ANY OTHER LIKE IT. I'M JUST CURIOUS.

There, I think I said it clear enough - I was searching for bridles, as I make model horse tack for a hobby, and this contraption popped up. At first glance, I thought it was a driving bridle with a sidecheck, but no, it's another weird training device. Anyone care to explain what it's used for?

Im not sure but it looks as if it is made to make the horse (forcefully!) raise his poll and head! I don't like the look of it at all.

Mhmm, it does look like a nasty piece of work. I was, however, giving benefit of the doubt as it may be a useful training device when used correctly - just like draw reins.

Probably could be. Then again we don't know what it is used for. I have never seen anything like it at all. It actually looks as if the horse can't move his head. He can't move it up, he can't move it down.

From what I gathered from a quick google search it is like a reverse martingale. The original theory is to stop a horse from throwing it's head down and forward. Of course, people take it's intended use and find new things they can do with it, such as forcing headset etc.

My thoughts in esxactly a different way of wording.

It is indeed modled from a driving bridle. Many trainers use this, especialy in lunging, to help get the horses head up. No, you wouldn't show with it. No, you wouldn't ride in it daily. Yes, it does help if you are riding saddleseat. A horse does not naturally carry his head up that high from the get go and it takes some work to get them to keep it there at first.
Are there better methods? Maybe, but in 4 years of working with two Saddlebred trainers I never saw anything work as good as a side check although we never had horses ridden in one.
IMHO it's no more 'cruel' than a tie-down or tightly adjusted running martingale. It doesn't really pull on the mouth much if at all.

That's very interesting, thank you for the information jyuukai.

Exactly what jy said. We use it on our saddleseat horses, both those being broke to ride and those who need a refresher once in a while. Most saddleseat type horses naturally hold their heads higher than a western or hunter type horse, but this helps them learn where to keep their heads under saddle. Just like teaching a hunter, jumper, western, etc. horse. It's not cruel by any means, but like any other piece of equipment can be cruel if improperly used.
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The thing that bothers me about this is that it's being used in conjunction with a 'training martingale' (Tory Premium Leather 10 Ring Training Martingale - Statelinetack.com), which is supposed to encourage a lower headset. The horse would be very confused, not being able to raise or lower it's head...